[mythtv-users] Advice on TV tuner for use on Comcast cable in Minneapolis

David Schlenk mythtv at schdav.org
Tue Jul 22 18:50:03 UTC 2008


On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 9:59 AM, James Orr <james.orr7 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 9:38 AM, Gordon McCrae
> <gordon.mccrae at googlemail.com> wrote:
>>
>> My friend was over on Scotland recently and loved my MythTV setup, now
>> he's back home in Minneapolis he's looking to build his own system.
>>
>> Server and Linux wise I have that covered, however I have no idea about
>> connecting up his Comcast cable TV.
>>
>> He tells me that he currently has an analogue solution, and simply tunes
>> his TV stations to each of the cable stations, however when he called to
>> get a second feed, they've told him it will need to be digital and will
>> come with a tuner box.
>>
>> Any pointers on the best way to integrate this with MythTV, and what
>> tuner cards would be required.
>>
>> I had thought a simple PVR-250 would be fine for the analogue feed, but
>> even then he'll only have one channel available at a time to tune /
>> record.
>>
>> Also, if the digital feed is do-able, what would he need on the PC
>> hardware side to control channel selection?
>
> If all he's interested in is basic cable, he doesn't need to talk to comcast
> for a second feed, just get a cable splitter.  Then he can have one go into
> the TV so he can watch it the way he currently does without Myth and one
> going into a PVR-250 or 500.
>

To save $5 go to your local office and ask for a splitter. They'll
probably give you one. Bring in your payment at the same time to feel
like less of a tool.

> If he does want to go with a digital box, you can still use the PVR-250
> composite or S-video input to capture, but you'll need some method of
> changing channels.  If you're lucky he'll get a box with a serial port on
> back (and if you don't you might be able to take it into the cable office
> and exchange it - technicians don't always have them available but they
> usually have them in the office) which you can use a USB->serial cable to
> change channel, otherwise you need an IR blaster.

Specifically, or at least in brooklyn park MN  if you get one of the
SD small motorola boxes it won't have serial but the older big ones
do. They usually have both at the office. Of course the newer ones are
smaller and faster, but they are also uglier and have no serial. The
HD boxes all have firewire (which you can use to change the channel)
but I haven't seen one with serial. They also have a 1/8 headphone
jack style IR port but I have no idea if that's in or out or even if
its operational at all.. anyone else know?

>
>
> _______________________________________________
> mythtv-users mailing list
> mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>
>


More information about the mythtv-users mailing list